Development Services Customer Service Commitment
We have identified the service standards you can expect when working with us
Sunshine Coast Council is committed to providing you with excellent customer service and efficient processes for any point of your development journey. Our services are consistent and accessible providing positive experiences for our customers and value to our community.
We do this through:
- Providing responsive products and services for our customers and Council.
- Ensuring a high performance work environment where our staff feel empowered and respected with the skills to perform at their best.
- Encouraging continuous business improvement to focus on highly effective and efficient services.
- Building positive partnerships with our customers by working together to achieve great outcomes.
- Contributing towards the economic prosperity of the region.
We welcome your applications, questions, and feedback, and are here to help uncomplicate the complicated, make connections and find a pathway of answers.
Our customer service commitment outlines what you can expect when engaging with us.
Our purpose and values
Our branch's purpose is to facilitate sustainable development outcomes for the liveability and prosperity of the region.
CARE | RESPECT | TRUST | CURIOUS | CONNECTED |
We care for people and place | We respect everyone | We trust and empower | We explore possibilities | We are better together |
Development Services Branch, as part of Sunshine Coast Council, aims to serve our community with excellence, respect our past, and position our region for the future.
What we will do for you
Uncomplicate the complicated |
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Make connections |
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Pathway of answers |
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Our Service Standards
We aim to ensure our products and services are delivered on time while still achieving desired development outcomes. When partnering with us, you can expect our services to be managed following the relevant legislative requirements and guided by the timeframes outlined below.
Customer acknowledgement |
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Development advice |
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Property searches |
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Planning applications |
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Engineering and environment specialist applications |
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Building applications |
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Plumbing applications |
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Plan sealing applications |
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Planning and Development Certificates |
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Development, building and plumbing complaints |
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Note: all timeframes are business days and applicable from lodgement unless otherwise stated.
* Decision ready means after Council has confirmed that there is no information required, where the applicant has provided a satisfactory response to an information request, or where a final response has been received from a State Agency Referral and the application has entered the Decision Part.
What we ask of you
You can help us deliver the best service to you by:
- Treating our staff with courtesy and respect.
- Taking responsibility for coordinating high-quality and professional information to assist us in our response.
- Taking the time to visit our website, review our guidance material, understand our requirements and use the services available to get the right information.
- Advise council when there are changes to your application or enquiry.
- Provide all relevant information to enable council to undertake a meaningful assessment or investigation and provide the necessary advice back to you.
- Maintain open two-way communication to support a smooth assessment or investigation process.
- Provide constructive feedback and recognition to Council’s staff on the service received.
- Providing us with constructive feedback and innovative ideas about how we can improve.
Our resolution process
We want to work with you to ensure a productive experience, but we understand processes can sometimes be complex. We therefore have open and transparent liaison processes.
Level 1 | Level 2 Escalation | Level 3 Escalation | Level 4 Escalation |
Project Manager / Inspector / Compliance Officer | Project Director / Senior / Principal | Team Leader / Coordinator | Branch Manager |
If you have any issues, you can raise them at any time with the Project Manager, Inspector or Compliance officer directly allocated to the assessment of your application or compliance matter. This officer is your first point of contact and is best placed to manage and respond to any issues. | If you do not receive a satisfactory resolution, you may ask for the matter to be referred to the nominated supervisor, being the Project Director/Senior or Principal. The Project Director, Senior or Principal is responsible for providing technical support and guidance to the Project Manager, Inspector or Compliance officer. | If you continue to have concerns, you may request that the matter be referred to the Team Leader or Coordinator. The Team Leader or Coordinator is responsible for managing and resolving complex matters in the team.
| If you are not satisfied with the proposed resolution of your issue, you may request that the issue be escalated to the Branch Manager. The Branch Manager is responsible for managing and leading staff to achieve the Branch's purpose and goals, including achieving Branch service standards and performance targets. |
Find more information to guide your application process.
For more information please contact council's development services.
Our Development.i portal is an easy way to stay informed of all development applications in the Sunshine Coast local government area.
Feedback
We appreciate and value all feedback. If you would like to provide feedback, please get in touch with us and share your experience. You can contact us via:
Email: mail@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Phone: 07 5475 7272
Council is committed to ensuring accessibility for everyone, please contact us if you require assistance on this page.